Class Packages Available

Class Author

Theresa McGauley-Keaney

Theresa McGauley-Keaney, Registered Respiratory Therapist, has been a practicing registered respiratory therapist in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, since 1986, with the bulk of her experience in acute care. She earned a certificate in web design from Clark Career Institute and holds a BA in Communication from the University of Massachusetts.

Class Accreditation

All states (with the exception of Hawaii) recognize our courses for accredited continuing nursing education, CNE, contact hours.
This course is accredited by the following boards:
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 15467.
Provider approved by the Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia , South Carolina Boards of Nursing through CE Broker, CE Provider #: 50-13256.

Tracheostomy Care

For a complete list of accreditations for this course, please see the accreditation information box below the author’s bio. All states (with the exception of Hawaii) recognize our courses for accredited continuing nursing education, CNE, contact hours.

Changes in Medicare payment made in 2010, are leading to an influx of patients with tracheostomy and those who are ventilator dependent into sub-acute skilled nursing facilities. Health care reform will further influence this trend and reimbursement will depend on quality care and positive outcomes. This course is for practitioners and facilities who want to be proactive in being able to meet the demand and support this fragile population.

Tracheostomy and ventilators can make even the most seasoned healthcare practitioners uneasy. For many RN’s, LPN/LVN’s, and CNA’s working in skilled nursing facilities, these patients will provide a new challenge and demand that they develop new skills. This course aims to take the mystery out of tracheostomy care. The latest technological advances for tracheostomy tubes will be reviewed. Through the use of video demonstration and thorough review of industry best practice methodologies, nurses and other healthcare practitioners will gain the knowledge and the confidence they will need to provide quality care.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

Describe basics of airway anatomy

List 3 indications for tracheostomy

Describe key points of bedside respiratory assessment

Identify signs of respiratory distress

Identify types and sizes of tracheostomy tubes

Describe MOV technique and tracheostomy tube inflation

Recognize why, when and how to suction the tracheostomy tube

Recognize why, when and how to clean the skin around the tracheostomy tube

Recognize why, when and how to change the tracheostomy ties

Recognize why and when to change the tracheostomy tube

Recognize why, when and how to use respiratory and universal precautions

Recognize why humidification is important for tracheostomy

List different modalities for delivering humidification to the tracheotomy

State the important supplies to have stand-by in the room of the tracheostomy patient

Identify the management of the tracheostomy patient found in distress

List the documentation required for tracheostomy and respiratory care provided

Curriculum

Chapter 1

Basic Airway Anatomy

Key Points for Bedside Respiratory Assessment

Inspection

Palpation

Auscultation

Medical terminology for breath sounds with wave file demonstrations

Documentation

Chapter 2

Signs of Respiratory Distress

Documentation

Chapter 3

Tracheostomy

Medical Justification (Indications) for Tracheostomy

Two video demonstrations of the surgical technique for tracheostomy

3-D medical animation

Graphic video of the surgery being performed (approximately 11 minutes)

Possible complications of tracheostomy

Chapter 4

Tracheostomy Tubes

Description and diagram of basic functional parts

Detailed explanation of the tracheostomy tube cuff

Outline of the procedure for inflating and deflating the tracheostomy tube cuff

Possible complications

Documentation

Procedure for MOV Technique

Chart outlining innovative new tracheostomy tubes in use today

Indications

Manufacturers

Images and explanations of four other tracheostomy like devices

Sleep apnea tube

Stoma Button

Transtracheal oxygen catheter

Laryngectomy tube

Open stoma

Chapter 5

Suctioning

Best practice guidelines for suctioning the patient with a tracheostomy

Possible complications

Documentation

Video demonstration of suctioning the tracheostomy patient

Chapter 6

Humidity

The importance of supplemental humidity for the tracheostomy patient

Options for providing humidity

Speaking valves

Tracheostomy plugs

Chapter 7

Best practice guidelines for performing tracheostomy care

Possible complications

Documentation

Chapter 8

Tracheostomy tube change

The first tracheostomy tube change

Routine tracheostomy tube change

Indications

Schedule

Chapter 9

Algorithm for the management of a tracheostomy patient found in respiratory distress